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Large quantities of semal are cut in south Rajasthan and sold in Udaipur.
The price varies from ₹500 to ₹1,500 per tree, depending on size.
The cutting violates the Rajasthan Forest Act 1953 and the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.
Once ubiquitous, the crimson semal flower is now a rare sight
Bombax is a genus of mainly tropical trees in the mallow family.
They are native to western Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the subtropical regions of East Asia and northern Australia.
It is distinguished from the genus Ceiba, which has whiter flowers.
Common names for the genus include silk cotton tree, simal, red cotton tree, kapok, and simply bombax.
Currently four species are recognised, although many plants have been placed in the genus that were later moved
The tree fibers are 100% cellulose, able to float, impervious to water, and have a low thermal conductivity.
Called Kapok in Asia, the fibers are mainly used for insulation in sleeping bags and life preservers.
The fibers are also used as stuffing for pillows and mattresses.
Apart from the flowers, the silk cotton tree is characterised by its spiked trunk and fluffy seed pods, and is native to India.
“It has multiple purposes and is useful to wild animals, insects, and even to tribal communities,”
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